Liu Dazhu and Luo Pingwei also looked at Su Qingci and the others with expectant expressions.
They figured Su Qingci had received a banner from the county last time, so her words must have some influence.
If only the Xie family could open the sluice gate they had blocked.
Even if it's only stored for 15 days, with the water stored in the reservoir, this season's rice can not only be recovered, but also will not be affected by the reduced yield.
Facing several pairs of hopeful eyes, Su Qingci was a little hesitant to meet their gazes.
To be honest, if the town and the commune can't do anything about the Xie family, what chance does she have?
It wasn't that she lacked compassion, but rather that she knew that by giving everyone hope at this moment, the members' backlash and anger when those expectations weren't met would burn her to ashes.
Song Jingzhou understood the reasoning behind this and quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"We can't make that decision either."
"Everyone knows the situation on the Xie family's side better than Captain Su, an outsider."
Su Qingci nodded, "Yes, all we can say is that we will try our best to go back and relay the opinions of the commune members to the leaders in the town and the commune."
The light in everyone's eyes gradually dimmed.
When they went to the leader, the leader gave them the same response, and that was the end of it.
The security team left with a heavy heart.
No matter the era or the corner of the world, there are always people at the bottom who are oppressed and struggling.
They don't actually want much; they just want enough to eat and wear.
Back in town, Su Qingci didn't waste a moment and immediately went to Xiao Li'an's office.
I reported what I had seen below to him truthfully.
“Mayor Xiao, I asked the local villagers, and they said that the Xie family has no need to block the water at this time.”
"The water coming down from Zhijiang is still flowing every day, but the flow is a little smaller than before."
"In these several production brigades, the rice has entered the heading and full-bodied stage. If the water is cut off at this time, what difference is there between that and taking everyone's lives?"
"They drove all the water into Xiejia Reservoir. Xiejia Reservoir is so big that it didn't completely dry up during the nationwide drought and famine years ago."
Even if we don't add water to it during this period.
"It's just that the water level has dropped and the outlet has been exposed, and they're cutting off the water supply to several brigades down there for that reason!"
"This is unfair to the downstream production teams!"
"When we went there today, Wunitang and Gaotang brigades were fighting over water."
"If things continue like this, something bad is bound to happen sooner or later."
Xiao Li'an let out a long sigh.
"The Xie family is really going too far."
"Mayor, could you step in and get them to open the sluice gate?"
Xiao Li'an remained silent.
“Xiao Su, you’re not a local member, so you might not know this.”
"The Xie family, sigh..."
"It's really difficult!"
“They are all from the same clan in the village, and they stick together very closely.”
“As long as they don’t do anything illegal, there’s nothing we can do about them.”
"Let alone the current water blockage, even during the years of severe drought across the country, the county government had to pay a considerable price to get some water from their reservoir."
"They are also quite tactful, knowing what they should and shouldn't do."
"Although they have always bullied other villages because of their size, they have never been able to find any fault with them."
"It's as slippery as an eel."
“They are now diverting water to their own village’s reservoir, which is not violating any laws.”
"Besides, even if we use strong measures to pressure them into opening the sluice gates today, they will still intercept it as soon as we leave."
Su Qingci paused for a moment, "Mayor, since they are fearless and cautious, they don't want to be caught doing anything wrong."
"Then we'll let them commit crimes on our own initiative."
"I think it shouldn't be difficult to do this."
Xiao Li'an's eyes widened. "Captain Su, have you forgotten who you are?"
"Your duty and identity are to maintain order in Peach Blossom Town and to stop behaviors that endanger society."
"It's to protect the lives and property of the people, not for you to abuse your power and use your positions to persecute them!"
Xiao Li'an launched into a tirade against Su Qingci.
He absolutely would not allow the security team of Peach Blossom Town to harbor such unhealthy thoughts.
Seeing that Su Qingci was keeping her head down and not saying anything, he breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and patted his clothes.
"Let's go, let's go and meet with the Xie family."
"Even if the chances are slim, we must try our best to fight for the production teams below."
Su Qingci rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking that Xiao Li'an was being a bit too forward and didn't understand the situation.
They put on a show of being diligent and caring for the people, but it's all just for show.
Even though you know in your heart that it's useless, you still try and try.
She wanted to see how he would try to win her over.
To make a good impression, Xiao Li'an not only brought his deputy Xiao Bang, but also the entire security team to the Xie family.
Xiejia Village is located in the southeast of Taohua Town.
It occupies the most advantageous position in the entire peach blossom area.
Not only is the terrain flat and close to the town, but the rice paddies and mountains are also the best.
Because the village is so large, spanning the road from the county town, it is also called Upper Xie Family and Lower Xie Family.
Legend has it that Xiejia Village has a history of nearly a thousand years, and its ancestors produced scholars in various dynasties.
Despite numerous wars and dynastic changes, the clan still maintains a very complete genealogy and clan rules.
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